August 24, 2013

10:00 AM meeting for worship (semi-programmed): Mary Logue, speaker; Nancy Lichtenstein, musician; Joanne Esser and Dan Jensen, care of meeting

“. . . many theologians and mystics insisted that God was not an objective fact, was not another being, and was not an unseen reality like the atom . . . Some went so far as to say that it was better to say that God did not exist, because our notion of existence was too limited to apply to God.” — Karen Armstrong, The Spiral Staircase

“A star in your chest says, ‘None of this is outside you. Close your lips and let the maker of mouths talk, the one who says things.’” –Rumi

TODAY

Sunday, September 8, is the preliminary Quaker Quest session from 9:00 am to 3:15 pm. Your reservation for the event is needed TODAY. If you are planning to come, sign up. If you can’t attend, tell someone! During our time together on the 8th, we will worship, learn how to be even more welcoming to visitors, share our sense of what Quakers believe and build community. Registration deadline is this Fri, Aug 30. See minneapolisfriends.org/qq . Child care and lunch provided.

Friends are invited to the conference room at the rise of worship today to talk about today’s worship experience, this summer’s worship experiment, or Quaker worship in general.

The Friendly Philosophers, an informal, open group, will meet downstairs after worship today. They meet the first and last Suns of the month at the meetinghouse and every Tues evening at Gib’s.

MEETING MATTERS / CALENDAR

A NEW DIRECTORY UPDATE IS AVAILABLE on the table by the elevator. It includes all the changes/corrections since the current directory’s publication.

Everyone is encouraged to come to the potluck next Sunday at the rise of worship. It is a time of relaxed fellowship, good food and good conversation. Please label your pot-luck item/s with ingredients or your name so that those with allergies, sodium restrictions, vegetarians, etc, can be comfortable participating. Particularly to be noted: salt, peanuts, tree nuts (walnut, cashew, etc), meat, poultry, milk, soy, onions, garlic, eggs, fish, shellfish, corn, corn products and wheat.

Lunch Bunch will meet Wednesday, August 28th, 11:45 at Presbyterian Homes. RSVP to Barbara by Tues, August 27th. If you are available in the middle of the day, consider coming! It’s a great opportunity to deepen relationships with and bring news to those not able to come to worship every Sunday.

There are three (yes, three!) new videos about Quaker worship on the MFM website, minneapolisfriends.org/video/:
Quaker Meeting for Worship: Part 1, Listening; Part 2, Speaking; Worship at Minneapolis Friends Meeting: From Programmed to Unprogrammed

Offering boxes are located on small tables near the meetingroom doors. Average contributions of $9,725 per month ($2431 per week) are needed to meet our budget. In July, $5,544.09 was contributed to the general budget; an average of $1386 per week. If you would like to consider automating your contributions, ensuring a more regular flow of funds to meet the Meeting’s operating expenses, please talk to Suzanne or Mike, receiving treasurers.

OUR WIDER COMMUNITY

Mark you calendars for a fund-raising concert featuring Annie and Peter Blood-Patterson, musicians and song-writers, and creators of the widely-known compilation songbook, “Rise up Singing.” At Twin Cities Friends Meeting (1725 Grand Ave, St. Paul) Sat, Sept 7 at 6:30 PM. First half hour, songs for children. $20 donation, (suggested.) Proceeds cover Annie and Peter’s expenses, the remaining balance going to Friends for a NonViolent World (FNVW). Great music and fellowship!

Pendle Hill courses at a 10% discount! (Register by Aug 31): Journey Toward Wholeness: A Courage & Renewal® Retreat Series , late Oct/early Nov; Open Heart, Peaceful Mind: A Retreat for Rest and Reflection, Dec 28-Jan 1; Musical Masterworks of Allure and Transformation, Dec 28-Jan 1. Full list and descriptions at pendlehill.org/workshops/fall .

Quaker EarthCare Witness Steering Committee sessions will be October 24-27 in Chicago. This meeting will cover three areas: the impact of population growth on climate change, national climate change policy and politics, and dealing with climate change at the local level. All Friends are invited for some or all of the planned sessions. Climate change discussions will be Fri evening, Sat afternoon, and Sat evening. Prepared addresses and round-table discussion both. Registration opens at the end of August. Learn more about QEW and join Friends who share a deep concern for Earthcare. Please come! See the website for details: quakerearthcare.org/event/qew-steering-committee-annual-meeting-gathering.

Thank Representatives Ellison and McCollum for their votes against H.R. 850, the latest House attempt to increase Iran sanctions. H.R. 850 risks sabotaging diplomatic talks that offer the best chance to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran and avoid war. Some background information about legislation involving Iran: fcnl.org/issues/iran/current_legislation_on_iran/

Ask Your Target to Protect Their Customers: Target is one of the only retailers to take no action on the Hazardous 100+, the most dangerous chemicals found in consumer products. During this, the last week of August, shoppers are visiting their local Target store managers, asking them to meet with the Mind the Store Campaign and take action on the hazardous 100+ chemicals. You can help Target realize their customers want serious changes when it comes to the toxics on their shelves. To join the effort, see cleanwateraction.org/webform/sign-target-store-visit

Action alert from Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT): Oppose an imminent eviction of more than 1,000 Palestinians in the South Hebron Hills and take action by contacting Sec. of State John Kerry. You can get to the petition directly at org.salsalabs.com/o/641/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=13918 or follow the link at the bottom of the CPT article: cpt.org/cptnet/2013/08/03/south-hebron-hills-urgent-action-ask-us-secretary-state-kerry-heed-israeli-jurists .

OFFICE HOURS
Pat Jones will be in the office at various times on Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sunday.
Carolyn Sherer VandenDolder, the Admin Assistant, will be in Wed. afternoon and Fri. Bulletin deadline, noon Thurs. Bulletin items can be phoned in to the office, emailed or written and placed in the bulletin file in the blue box.